Studio Reference Monitors For The VF-160

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ShadowKat

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I'm using my VF-160 strictly as a stand alone unit, and I'm wondering what kind of studio reference monitors are out there that don't require an amp, that are small for portability, and don't cost an arm and a leg that, I can just plug right into the unit when I get tired of those head phones burning my ears!
 
There are a ton out there, some made by Fostex. Actually Fostex has been making speaker drivers for decades... Brands like M-Audio, Yamaha, Roland, KRK are also very common. It all depends on what you want to spend. Look for powered monitors and you can just plug and play right out of the VF160.
 
Hey, Bill:

Good to hear from you, again.....But can you be more specific?...like can I go passive?......do i need to go active....when you say 'plug & play', do you mean powered?.....I'm looking for something small in diameter and at a bargain price....I've been shopping ebay, but not really sure specifically what to shop for!
 
Hey Shadow!

You need active monitors. Once you get those you just plug them into the VF and you're good to go. Obviously you want to check the connections on a given model to see what you can use coming out of the Fostex.

Some models near the budget lines can use s/pdif in, so you can go s/dif out from the VF and stay in the digital domain, but I don't think this is critical.

I've heard good things about the Samson Resolve series and about the Fostex PM1.0. My advise is go on 8th street music, or Zsounds, and check for monitors under the recording equipment section.

Also, if you have a Sam Ash or Guitar Center (or both, or some other) then go in and listen to the various models.

Get the best you can afford.
 
Inexpensive, well no but...

I've gotta say, my Yorkshire PSM1P's are the shizzle for rizzle (sorry couldn't resist the "snoop-ism").

I love them, and they came highly recommended by many on these forums. Gear1music had the best price going when I bought mine, they were 30 bucks cheaper than anywhere else I believe, and gear1 also offers excellent service and good response time.

Musicians friend has a pretty good sale going this month, have you looked there?
 
Actually I find it better not to listen to my recordings - saves money on monitors and not so damaging to the morale:)

And it was good enough for Beethoven....
 
Garry Sharp said:
Actually I find it better not to listen to my recordings - saves money on monitors and not so damaging to the morale:)

And it was good enough for Beethoven....
Click to expand...

Garry is lying. His band is excellent, with a dynamite lead vocalist.
 
Aw shucks Bill:cool:

S-Kat the question your post raised was portability - how are you planning to use them?
 
Garry Sharp said:
Aw shucks Bill:cool:

S-Kat the question your post raised was portability - how are you planning to use them?
Click to expand...

hey Garry, I'm going to ask this elsewhere, but since you're a guitarist, do you know the general frequency created by "string-squeak"? My son did something with a lot of sliding chord changes and I'd like to reduce the squeak by eq'ing out the offending frequency.
 
I have heard that Elixyr (sp?) strings reduce string squeak because they are coated, they are also supposed to last longer, and not take as long to break in.
 
cellardweller said:
I have heard that Elixyr (sp?) strings reduce string squeak because they are coated, they are also supposed to last longer, and not take as long to break in.
Click to expand...

yes, you're right on all counts. although some people claim elixers aren't as bright because of the way they're made...
 
Bill:

Thanks....exactly what I needed to know!

Cellardweller:

Actually, I started my search for monitors at Musicians Friend, mostly because I buy a lot of gear from them for the band....but they don't offer a lot in the way of reference monitors, except on the high end, which is a little too rich for my blood.

Garry:

The portabillity issue is really not all that critical.....Before I go to mixdown, I like to run over to the bass players house and let him "approve" of the mix, and we're alway's doing that with headphones on......with smaller portable capable speakers, I could carry them with me and actually have converstation as we listen. I also carry along a condenser mike to add additional vocal work. I got the gig bag with my unit, and I make good use of it.
 
Here we go!!

Honestly what you could do is if you wanted something cheap and portable hit the edirol powered monitors.... fair enough to give you the truth of your sound and they won't break you, they're like $150.00 a pair and powered, good for digital!
But if you wanna go cheaper, then take the rca outs on the vf-160 pug it in to your home stereo's input and take all bass boost or extra sound enhancers off the stereo ex. like if your stereo has an eq,set it flat with no extra treble or bass..... Try one of those, either way works nicely.
 
I saw those edriol's and wondered how sufficient they would be, but they make several models.....Musicians supply had a close out on them in their latest catalog.......But they sold out as fast as the catalog came out!!.....I got the notion they were more like PC speakers........Which model are you making reference to?
 
hear u go!! lol

The model is the ma-10D!! They are some of the best you can get!! I will probably get a reply on how wrong I am but in all honesty you want small clear speakers for studio reff. not big!!
The reason being is that you never know who all will listen to your music and where they might do it!(Car,Walkman, ect.)
You see if you get a great mix on small speakers then you know it will sound even better on big speakers, but this in reverse will not work. Music always sounds good on the big ones, but, if you listen to the same song on small monitors it can sound like the level output is too low or even distorted: trust me they will do the job!!
 
Jonathanz:

Thanks for getting back with me......what do you think of the Edirol MA-5D model?.....I assume, at the least, the difference is the number representing the wattage of the amp (10watt vs. 5watts)......the reason why I ask is that Muscians Supply has that model at a close out price right now!
 
yep

Your right!! Either one is going to be fine because they will be used for mixing not for jamming.... There is a small diff. lol!!!
 
You can't do any critical listening with those small edirols.
 
yeah, yeah, like I said some one will say I'm wrong, but again you have to crawl before you walk, just check them out!!
 
I hate to be a naysayer, but if you are already "crawling" in many aspects, as I am, when it comes to recording, then hearing an accurate reprocuction is all the more important.

Just my 1 cent, as I can't afford two! Because I am still recovering from my own purchase...
which I regret not at all.

After all, it is the "true" sound you are worried about, right?

Buy cheap, buy twice.
Or three times, as has been my past experience.
 
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